The City of Light shines year-round, but Paris has a special appeal in winter. Sure, the weather can be cold and rainy, but if you dress in layers, you’ll keep warm and easily deal with temperature changes as you go from cold streets to heated museums and cafés.

Here are some stunning photographs of Paris taken by photographer Dmitri Kessel in the winter of 1948.

Heavy snow covers the ground near the Eiffel Tower.

Snow-ladened Notre Dame Cathedral beside the Seine.

Snow covering a statue on the Champs Elysees.

Light vehicular traffic in heavily snow-covered Place de Concorde.

Snow covering the gardens at the Louvre.

Snow-ladened Pont Alexander III across the Seine.

Heavily snow-covered area around the Arc de Triomphe.

Snow covering the gardens at the Louvre.

Heavy snow around the Eiffel Tower.

Snow covering the Place de la Concorde.

Snow covering the Place de la Concorde.

Snow covering the Place de la Concorde.

(Photos by Dmitri Kessel, via LIFE archives)